Response of African American and
Caucasian Women to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD

Reviewed
by
Priscilla Schulz, LCSW from an article of the same title by: Lori A. Zoellner, Norah C. Feeny,
Lee A. Fitzgibbons, and Edna B. Foa,
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Published: Behavior Therapy, V. 30, 581-595, 1999

BackgroundA body of professional literature documents differences between African
Americans and Caucasian Americans with regard to posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Compared to Caucasian Americans with similar profiles
research finds that African Americans

Researchers suggest that differences in economic factors between African
Americans and Caucasian Americans, and higher levels of exposure to trauma
in the lives of African Americans may explain these results.

Not all studies comparing African Americans and Caucasian Americans with
regard to PTSD find differences between the groups. For example, one study
(Wyatt, 1992) looked at the long-term effects of sexual assault among
African American and Caucasian American, female, rape survivors. The Wyatt
study found similar levels of long-term disturbances in both groups as
a result of the rape. In short, the presence of contradictory results
from research make it unclear whether or not ethnocultural factors affect
PTSD development and a client’s ability to benefit from known PTSD treatments.

What is the scope of this study?In the present study, researchers looked at the effectiveness of time-limited,
cognitive behavioral treatment for PTSD with female survivors of assault,
(i.e., sexual assault and nonsexual, aggravated assault). They examined
whether or not there were differences between African American and Caucasian
American study participants before treatment (e.g., differences in worldview,
psychopathology, social functioning, coping style and social support),
and in their response to treatment. Researchers also looked at other factors
noted in previous studies, such as treatment dropout rates and socio-economic
status.

How was the study conducted?Ninety-five assault survivors participated in the study. All had PTSD,
but none currently lived with an abusive partner, or suffered from organic
mental disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or substance dependence.
There were more Caucasian American than African American participants
(63% vs. 37%), and the groups differed demographically; African American
participants had lower incomes, fewer were employed and they had less
education than their Caucasian American counterparts. In addition, fewer
of the African American participants had sought treatment for the assault.
Ethnic groups were similar with regard to marital status and prior abuse
histories, and the average age was 35 years.

Researchers used both structured interviews and self-report measures
to assess degree of psychological disturbance (including depression, anger,
anxiety, worldview and PTSD), and to measure improvements or changes that
resulted from the cognitive-behavioral intervention. Three different treatments
were used in the study (i.e., prolonged exposure-PE, stress inoculation
training-SIT, combined prolonged exposure plus stress inoculation-PE+SIT),
and compared to a control group of participants on a treatment wait list.
Doctoral-level, Caucasian American, female therapists conducted all treatment
sessions.

What were the study’s findings?

Similarities

No significant differences were found between Caucasian American and
African American study participants on

pretreatment measures of mental well being (psychopathology, anger,
avoidance or social functioning),

persistence in continuing with treatment (dropout rates),

and in reports of improvements from participating in treatment.

Differences

Caucasian American and African American participants differed significantly
in their beliefs about the world after the assault. Specifically, Caucasian
Americans reported that their outlook became bleaker after the assault,
but this was not so for African Americans. Of note is the fact both
groups reported similar world-views before the assault.

Other Findings

Compared to the waiting list condition, all three treatment conditions,
PE, SIT, and PE+SIT, were similarly effective with both ethnic groups
and across all income levels of study participants.

Participants with lower scores on beliefs about the world’s benevolence
had more severe PTSD symptoms at pretreatment.

Treatment significantly improved psychological well being of study
participants.